Roma maintain fitness during international break with training at Trigoria

Leonardo Balerdi has reclaimed his place in the Argentina national squad after missing the last World Cup through injury. The Roma defender has made an impressive start to the 2026–27 season and spoke to journalists upon his arrival in his home country about his satisfaction at returning to the Selección. "I had a very strong desire to come back," Balerdi said. "That's why returning here represents a new challenge for me and I must face it in the right way." His comments reveal lingering disappointment over his absence from the last World Cup, which he was forced to miss after suffering a soleus injury to his right leg.

Manu Koné's absence has become the defining thread in Roma's faltering campaign. The midfielder missed three away fixtures this season—at Udine, San Siro, and the Maradona—in which Roma collected only one point. Last season, repeated muscle injuries cost him nine league matches; Roma won just four of those games. His availability transforms Roma's performance: when he plays, the team shifts up a gear; when he is unavailable, the side loses its way entirely. The pattern extends to Europe, where his absence in the knockout stage against Bologna—playing only the opening twenty minutes of a forgettable return leg at the Olimpico—marked another setback. Gasperini's faith in Koné is unshakeable. The coach consistently finds ways to field him, even when carrying knocks; against Torino, despite being below full fitness, Koné was brought on for the closing stages. His impact in high-stakes matches is striking. Roma's last league defeat came at San Siro—a five-goal humiliation still a raw wound—and Koné was absent from that match. When he took the field on Saturday against a major opponent, the difference was immediately visible: he not only played but also scored twice. Koné has now netted six goals in Roma colours, with two already arriving in the 2026-27 season. If he adds goalscoring form to his midfield control, Roma possess a player of formidable value.

Lorenzo Pellegrini can use the three-week international break to rediscover his form and become a crucial player for Roma under Gian Piero Gasperini. The halt in fixtures offers the midfielder time to reset and prepare for the second phase of the season, with the break potentially proving as beneficial as bringing in a new signing. Pellegrini remains a central part of Gasperini's Roma project. The international pause provides an opportunity to work on fitness, shape and tactical understanding ahead of the resumption of matches. For Roma, having Pellegrini firing on all cylinders could prove decisive as the season develops. The break comes at a significant moment in Roma's campaign. With Gasperini's philosophy now fully embedded in the squad, Pellegrini's ability to influence play and drive the team forward will be essential to the club's ambitions in the coming weeks.

Roma radio stations have dissected the team's opening weeks of the 2026-27 season, focusing on attacking output, midfield deployment, and the defensive lapses that cost them against Inter. Gianluca Piacentini noted that while the team has impressed overall, Santiago Castro has yet to score despite solid performances, and the attacking group has contributed only three goals total—two from Matías Soulé and one from Rodrigo Mora—leaving room for improvement. Donyell Malen, who remained in Rome during the international break, has been the standout performer among the forwards. The consensus is that Roma's attackers, particularly Castro, Soulé and Mora, would have benefited from staying at Trigoria rather than joining their national teams for what several commentators dismissed as unnecessary international fixtures. Francesca Ferrazza explained that criticism of Paulo Dybala's reduced shooting is misplaced: "Now they're criticising Dybala because he doesn't score and doesn't shoot, but in my opinion it's precisely a deliberate choice to shoot less in goal. A choice shared with the manager, by the way. To extend his season and his career, he plays for others more than for himself." The discussion around Lorenzo Pellegrini centred on tactical fit. Lorenzo Pes raised concerns about how Pellegrini will adapt to Gasperini's intensity: "What intrigues me is how he might fit into certain systems. When you play with a trequartista, that is his best position, perhaps in that role he's the best you have, but when you line up differently on the pitch I'm not sure how much he can adapt. Last season he did reasonably well but in a very different Roma—now it's much more intense. Gasperini says he can see him in midfield too, but in that role he's never actually put him there." Mario Corsi challenged the narrative around Gianluca Mancini's role in Inter's goal, pointing out that four Roma defenders were on the pitch yet failed to function as a unit. He argued the real issue is a lack of a player who can beat his man consistently. Piero Torri stressed that after the international break, Roma will need all available players, with Gasperini having stated the team must operate with a squad of 20 across a seven-match stretch. Roberto Pruzzo offered a positive assessment, noting that Malen's presence this season—absent last year—and Dybala's apparent full recovery give Roma credible tools to challenge Inter, especially once the remainder of the transfer window closes. Luigi Salomone suggested that had Roma's previous manager substituted a different forward earlier against Lazio, the result might have shifted dramatically. The international break will resume mid-October, after which Roma face a compressed fixture list in both Serie A and the Champions League that will test squad depth and tactical flexibility.

Paulo Dybala has played more minutes than ever before under Gian Piero Gasperini this season, but the Argentine forward has yet to find the back of the net as he works his way back to full sharpness. According to Leggo, Dybala ranks third for minutes played across the 2026-27 campaign with 497 minutes, behind only Bryan Cristante and Mario Hermoso, a sign of the physical condition and extra work he has put in. The breakthrough comes after a difficult injury history: Dybala had missed 49 matches since joining in 2022, but has remained unbroken since late April. Gasperini hopes to restore Dybala's finishing touch to lift Roma's level. Dybala has effectively provided one assist per match played but the club now needs him to score to turn individual consistency into collective success.

Rome's radio stations have offered their assessment of Roma's early season form, with particular focus on the players needing to regain their fitness ahead of the international break. Lorenzo Pes of Tele Radio Stereo observed that several squad members are working to recover their form, notably Lorenzo Pellegrini, who has not yet been used by head coach Gian Piero Gasperini. Pes believes Gasperini's strategy has been to start strongly in these opening matches before using the three-week break to build energy levels. Wes­ley has emerged as the player facing the greatest physical difficulty, according to Pes. The defender suffered an injury just days before the league campaign began and therefore missed the normal pre-season preparation his teammates received. "I saw him behind, but I think the others are doing well and I believe this break can help him," Pes said. Despite Gasperini having indicated he sees Pellegrini operating in midfield, the coach has not deployed him there yet, leaving that as a potential tactical option. Roberto Pruzzo of Radio Radio Mattino argued that Roma represent a credible threat to Inter, particularly given that the transfer market will offer further opportunities in January. He highlighted the impact of having Donyell Malen available from the start of matches rather than mid-game, alongside Paulo Dybala's strong performances. Luigi Salomone, also of Radio Radio Mattino, assessed Roma's campaign as excellent but suggested they need to address aspects of their display in their upcoming fixture against Inter.

Roma resumed training on Tuesday 22 September with a severely reduced squad available to Gasperini. Among outfield players, only Hermoso, Molina, Rensch, Pellegrini, De Roon and Dybala trained fully, while Wesley, Malen and Cristante remained at Trigoria for physiotherapy on their respective problems. All three goalkeepers, including Svilar, were available for selection. The squad will continue work through Friday focused mainly on maintaining fitness before a break. In a separate development, Francesco Totti revealed in his book *Oltre* that he came very close to an unexpected return to professional football with Genoa. After initial jokes about a comeback, the club's hierarchy made a formal approach and the former Roma captain began serious training, including gym work, physiotherapy and a tailored diet. Manager Gilardino also wrote to him to try to persuade him, but ultimately his bond to Roma prevailed. Totti reflected on his decision: "A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48 years old." Forward Antonio Arena has returned to Roma Primavera after recovering from a muscular strain. He featured for a spell on Sunday against Milan, and his introduction coincided with Guaglianone's decisive goal. Although Arena has not yet appeared in the UEFA Youth League, he remains eligible to do so despite being included by Gasperini on the senior squad's UEFA list as number 68. Off the pitch, Roma's Pietralata stadium project advanced significantly. The State Superintendence gave a favourable opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment, stating it found no "obstacles to releasing the provision". Conditions remain on archaeological protection, a Roman villa, a cistern and landscaping that must be incorporated into the design. The final Conference of Services meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September.

Roma have shifted from constant squad overhauls to a philosophy of retaining and building around proven players while adding quality reinforcements—a strategic departure that appears to be delivering real strength. Head coach Gian Piero Gasperini, who took charge in 2025, sought stability rather than permanent revolution: a squad with a solid foundation onto which he could make surgical additions of two to four players at a time, ideally already proven and capable of becoming new cornerstones themselves. The article argues this represents the defining difference between the current Roma and many predecessors, which often leaned too heavily on a handful of elite performers and collapsed when one or two were absent. Mile Svilar has become an absolute certainty in goal. Evan N'Dicka is now a defensive reference point. Gianluca Mancini, despite some early-season errors, remains a squad leader through experience and personality. Wesley has made clear progress. Manu Koné is a player on whom present and future can be built. Paulo Dybala retains the talent to change a match with one moment. Donyell Malen has finally delivered what Roma lacked: a striker who consistently converts offensive output into goals. Alongside these established figures stand young talents with assured ability, to be developed without excessive pressure under Gasperini's direction. The genuine novelty is that Roma are adding fresh certainties to this foundation. Leonardo Balerdi arrived in the final hours of the transfer window and needed little time to explain why Gasperini wanted him: he defends aggressively, works hard off the ball, accepts physical duels, and shows personality in possession. The article cautions that three appearances make no verdict, but the sense is that Roma may have found not simply an alternative but another potential pillar. Nahuel Molina carries the same philosophy from a different angle—not a numerical placeholder but a World Cup winner accustomed to major stages who, after weeks regaining fitness, is demonstrating he can start without being considered an emergency solution. Gasperini has even deployed him on the opposite flank, and he provided an assist for Manu Koné's opening goal against Inter. Marten de Roon similarly represents no attention-grabbing summer window signing, yet he was captain and fundamental leader at Gasperini's Atalanta, understands what the coach demands before explanation, and in a fifty-match season offers another certainty to lean on during fatigue, injury and rotation. The summer transfer window was not flawless. Roma lacked precisely the offensive coup Gasperini pursued for months: a player capable of starting from the left, cutting onto his right foot, creating superiority and adding unpredictability to the attacking third. The club tried until the final moments without closing the deal. That piece remains missing and will likely return as a priority. Yet this itself signals how perspective has changed. There is no longer a squad to rebuild—there is a squad to complete. Future recruitment should consolidate those giving Roma identity, verify whether Balerdi and Molina can sustain that level, and add one or two more of similar calibre: an attacking winger, perhaps later a midfielder, then what the squad's evolution demands. One piece at a time, without dismantling what already holds the structure.

Roma have emerged from their direct clash with Inter with 13 points from their opening five Serie A matches—the club's best start in five seasons—and sit joint top of the table, a position they last shared with Lazio 54 years ago. The defence has been exceptional, conceding only four goals, level with Cagliari's total, while goalkeeper Mile Svilar leads the league in save percentage at 81%. Gasperini emphasised the importance of the draw against Inter, saying: "The draw with Inter is a signal to the league. We go forward on our own path, confident we can do well." With the international break providing a crucial window before a demanding fixture list, Gasperini will have three key starting players available at the club's Trigoria training centre. Wesley will remain in Rome due to minor injuries sustained in the recent match and to avoid long transatlantic travel, while Donyell Malen will not participate in his country's Nations League fixtures. Bryan Cristante has been ruled out of Italy's call-up after developing a lower back problem. Gasperini acknowledged the challenge ahead, stating: "The calendar will be tremendous after the break. I will have to be brave and throw everyone in—we will have to play with twenty men." These three absences from international duty represent valuable recovery time for the players ahead of the league's resumption. The positive momentum from Roma's strong opening and the return of fit bodies at Trigoria will be central to maintaining their title challenge in the weeks to come.

Roma resumed training on Tuesday 22 September with a severely reduced squad available to Gasperini. Among outfield players, only Hermoso, Molina, Rensch, Pellegrini, De Roon and Dybala trained fully, while Wesley, Malen and Cristante remained at Trigoria for physiotherapy on their respective problems. All three goalkeepers, including Svilar, were available for selection. The squad will continue work through Friday focused mainly on maintaining fitness before a break. In a separate development, Francesco Totti revealed in his book *Oltre* that he came very close to an unexpected return to professional football with Genoa. After initial jokes about a comeback, the club's hierarchy made a formal approach and the former Roma captain began serious training, including gym work, physiotherapy and a tailored diet. Manager Gilardino also wrote to him to try to persuade him, but ultimately his bond to Roma prevailed. Totti reflected on his decision: "A sporting betrayal has no age limit, whether you are 18 or 48 years old." Forward Antonio Arena has returned to Roma Primavera after recovering from a muscular strain. He featured for a spell on Sunday against Milan, and his introduction coincided with Guaglianone's decisive goal. Although Arena has not yet appeared in the UEFA Youth League, he remains eligible to do so despite being included by Gasperini on the senior squad's UEFA list as number 68. Off the pitch, Roma's Pietralata stadium project advanced significantly. The State Superintendence gave a favourable opinion on the Environmental Impact Assessment, stating it found no "obstacles to releasing the provision". Conditions remain on archaeological protection, a Roman villa, a cistern and landscaping that must be incorporated into the design. The final Conference of Services meeting is scheduled for Monday 28 September.

Gian Piero Gasperini has set the goal of playing twenty for Roma, but that requires integrating three significant recruits who have so far received limited playing time. Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro and Konstantinos Koulierakis — three players of different ages, characteristics and positions — have collectively cost the club over €100 million in fixed fees and bonuses. Roma invested in them with the expectation they would become key contributors soon, yet in the opening six official matches Gasperini has relied primarily on the group offering him the most certainty. That strategy has worked: four wins and two draws. Among the new arrivals, Leonardo Balerdi and Nahuel Molina have integrated more quickly; Mora, Castro and Koulierakis have had a more gradual path. Mora, the Portuguese midfielder, has had the most exposure. He has accumulated 187 minutes across five appearances at a rate of 37.4 minutes per game, and is the only one of the three to have started — twice, against Fiorentina and Atalanta. After a very promising start, his usage has progressively declined, and Gasperini will need to restore continuity and impact to his offensive rotations. Castro, the Argentine, has managed 105 minutes over four matches, averaging 26.25 per outing. His impact has been hampered by considerable misfortune: he has already struck the woodwork four times. Donyell Malen has inevitably restricted his space so far, but the fixture schedule after the international break will intensify and the Dutch forward will eventually need rest — opening the door for Castro to prove he can inherit his responsibility without lowering the team's attacking level. Koulierakis, the Greek defender, has the most limited minutes of all: just 31 across two appearances, averaging 15.5. Gasperini has used him least of the three, partly because competition in front of him has increased with Balerdi's immediate impact and the reliability of Evan N'Dicka and Gianluca Mancini. The financial figures underline the club's faith in these three. Castro cost €35 million plus €5 million in potential add-ons, Koulierakis €16.5 million plus €1.5 million in add-ons, while Mora's deal can reach €50 million — €25 immediately and another €25 within the next year, or alternatively 50 per cent of any future sale. Gasperini has always reasoned by performance and reliability rather than transfer fee, and these numbers do not obligate him to award minutes by contract right. But they explain why the development of Mora, Castro and Koulierakis is a fundamental next step for the season. Marten de Roon, 35 and familiar with Gasperini, represents a separate case — his value lies in offering experience, leadership and immediate tactical knowledge when required. The international break will limit Gasperini's training opportunities with many players away from Trigoria. When the calendar resumes, Roma will enter a period where fielding the same eleven every match will become impossible. That is when the goal of playing twenty will cease to be theory and demand reality: Gasperini must turn the €100 million that has mostly waited on the bench into three genuine alternatives capable of becoming far more than backups.

Gian Piero Gasperini is preparing to rotate his squad more frequently and give greater playing time to Roma's major summer signings as the season progresses. With a packed fixture list spanning Serie A and Champions League, the coach aims to "play with twenty players" — a necessity given the congested calendar. Until now, Gasperini has relied heavily on the squad from last season to ease the new arrivals in gradually, though Nahuel Molina and Leonardo Balerdi have already settled well. The focus has shifted to the three marquee acquisitions on which Roma invested over 100 million euros combined: Rodrigo Mora, Santiago Castro, and Konstantinos Koulierakis. All three have seen limited action so far. Mora has played the most, accumulating 187 minutes across 5 appearances (averaging 37.4 minutes per game), Castro has managed 105 minutes in 4 matches (a 26.25-minute average), and Koulierakis has collected only 31 minutes across two fixtures. Gasperini has acknowledged that courage will be required to start them from the opening whistle, particularly given Castro's misfortune in hitting the woodwork four times. The manager believes the turning point in his plans is imminent, driven both by the necessity of managing the dense schedule and by the obligation to showcase these premium acquisitions.